Can marking machine



May 10, 1960 F. c. MoELLER 2,935,933

CAN MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dunk C,Mo`el|e/v BY @www May 10, 1960 F. c. MOELLER CAN MARKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 16, 1957 INVENTOR. 'EJwnk C. Moelle/u BY ATTORNEYS May 10, 1960 F. c. MOELLER 2,935,933

CAN MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTGRNEYS May 10, 1960 Filed Aug. 16, 1957 F.C.MOELLER CAN MARKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Pmnk C. MoeHeJu A7' TOR/VE YS May 10, 1960 F. c. MOELLER CAN MARKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 16, 1957 a o |.l o l l 1 c l INVENTOR. Fnanl-L. C. Mae eJ'u @M ww ATTORNEYS May 10, 1960 F. c. MOELLER CAN MARKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 16, 1957 ATTORNEYS nited States Patent() 2,935,933 CAN MARKING MACHINE Frank C. Moeller, Mountainside, NJ., assigner to lAdolph Gottseho, Inc., Hillside, NJ., a corporation of New York Application August 16, 1957, serial Nb. 678,555'- 1o claims. (Crm1-44) This invention relates to c'an marking machines and relates more particularly` to machines for automatically marking cans with a' serial number or other identifying indicia.

It is common practice, particularly inthe production of canned beverages or foods, to mark la. particular batch or days output with a serial number or' other identifying mark so thatv if necessary at'some later date a particular` can, which may have found itsv way into a retail store oi' to a consumer, may be positively identified with records' kept by the manufacturer as having been produced at a particular date or from a particular batch. Various`4 proposais have been" m'ade' for 'facilitating the markingl of cans in the manner referred to. However, serious difficulties have been encountered in the operation ina' way thatis commercially satisfactory. The principal difclty that has been encounteredv is that4 in attempting the" i'n'g withsu'icient rapidity to' be practical commercially the resulting mark isf so' smudged as to" be either completely illegible or of very" doubtful legibility". Moreover, even when legibility' is sacrificed, marking witls'uli? cient rapidity to' meet the demands of large scale productio'n of canned goods has not beenv attained.

It is'a principal "object" of this invention to provide a can marking' machine which' is capable of operating' at very high speed and' which at the' Sametime" applies a very clear and legible Serial number or' other mark on' the' can;

Features o`f this invention relate to the" provision' of a horizontally disposed' rotatable'can' support in" relation't iirs't and second' co'r'lveyor'4 r'r'ieans,A means being' provided for transfer' of rapidly moving cans from the rs't cnvey'o'r' means' onto the rotating support' and Vmeans'l being provided for' transferring the cans' from the support to the second conveyor'rhear'is.

Further' features of this invention relate tothe' means for"4 receivingithe cans' onto' the rotating support vand for cooperating with the eriterio'rof eac'h canv whereby when the" marking s tamp'is applied the motion of the marking stamp' land of thecan surface to which th'e stamp is applied' are so' synchronized: that there is virtually' no relative movement between them'. The result is a' clear mark which is readily legible and is' free of the" very severe smudging whichcharac't'erizes the markings on c'ansfas conventionally' produced atr the present time. Further' features-of'this invention relate' to the employment of magneticholdin'g means in conjunction' with the mechanical holding means whereby the objectives* o'f clear un`smudged marking areattained;

Other features'- of this invention`l relate to the `actuation of the' marking' member in such a way inrelationr tothe c'an" movementv as to minimize or totally prevent plyedfor thest'altnpingfk members with the pr'p'er icc inount of ink and with facility'v for maintaining ink supply whereby the provision of clear, unsmudged markings may be afforded', Y.

' Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from ythe following description of certaintypical and preferred embodiments of this invention which have been shownfor illustrative 'and' exemplary purposes in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view, partlyy schematic, of a can marking machine embodying this' invention;

, Fig'. r2 is a side elevation, largely schematic, of the machine shown in Fig'. 1j`

Fig. 3 is an enlarged pla'n viewv of the turret portion of the can marking'. machine with certain parts of the frame removed for more clearly showing the parts;

Fig'. 4y is a sectional elevation' taken on the line 4 4 of Fig'. 3;l

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan View on an enlarged scale showing' port'iri of the turret in relation to the means for causing the cans to be located thereon upon transfer from the oa'nfeeding conveyor;

Fig. 6 is' a largely schematic elevational View of pre'- fer'red means co'cting' with the exterior surface of each can while the' can is moving relative thereto past the marking station during travel on the turret;

Figi 7 is a detail sectional view taken' on the line 7-7 of Eig'. 6; Y

Fig. 8 is a perspective' view" of the mechanism shown Ain Figs'. 6' and 7 Fig. 9` is a front viewY of one" of the' marking unitsy carifed by the turret and showing meansb alternative with themeans shown inFig's. 6, 7 and' 8Y for cooperating with the exterior surface of the can" during its travel' on' the turret: l

1'()v is" side vievv' of the marking u'nit' shown in Fg'l` 9;y

Fig. 1'1 is' a' plan' view of the 'unit shown in Figs; 9 ald. 10; V l

Fig. l?. is a" to'p` detail' yvi'ew ofthe readily detachable l`1ol'c e"r forfthe` marking' stamp having associated' therewith the alternative" can holding means showny in FigsY 9l `nd11;`

F" 1 3' is a side'view ofthe partsv shown'in Fig. l2;

I, gt I4' isi a detail side' view of the" means employed for inking the; rr'iaikirlg'y stamp and' of the mounting means therefor;

Fig'. 16 is a' `sectional view of the ca r'n and cam follo'w'er'me'aris taken on the `arcuate line 16-16` of Fig. 3, the vparts between vtheroller and the lever end of the pusherv rod being' omitted and the' latter parts being displaced s'o both show the relationship of the parts;

Fig. l7 is a detail elevation, largely; diagrammatic, of the means employed whereby cans' fed to the turret by the can feedingV conveyor become transferred to the' discshaped' can support of the turret; and

Fig. I8 is a view similar to Fig. 17 of means for transfer'ring cans from the turret to a conveyor means for conveying' the cans away after they have been marked.

'Figs. 1 and 2 show theggeneral organization of the can marking" machine of 'this invention'. A first conveyor means Ztl, the can feeding conveyor,V is adapted to conv'e'y a succession of vertically disposed cans to the portion of the can marking machine vcomprising' the rotatably mounted yturret whereon the' actual marking of the cans l The cans may be supplied inV immediate succession at any desired rate from any suitable source 24. The guide rails 20a serve to keep the cans in alignment and cause them to be fed to the rotating turret at the desired point or station.

With further reference particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, the base member 23 has secured thereto the upstanding post 25 which carries one end of the transverse cross frame 26 which is supported at its other end by another post (not shown) similar to post 2S. The cross frame 26 carries suspended therefrom the rotatably mounted tur# ret mechanisms which will be described more in detail hereinbelow. However, at this point reference is made to the fact that the turret comprises the horizontally disposed disc-shaped can support 27. As shown in detail in Fig. 17, when a vcan carried by the conveyor 20 is brought into' proximity to thedisc-shaped can support 27 of the rotatable turret the can moves from the conveyor 20 and passes over the plate 28 which provides temporary support during movement of the can from the conveyor 20 to the disc-shaped can support 27. The friction supplied by the succession of cans carried by the conveyor 20 causes each can as it approaches the rotatably mounted disc-shaped can support 27 to move from the conveyor 20 over the plate 28 and onto the support 27.

For removing the marked cans away, a second conveyor 29 is employed which is similar to conveyor 20 and has one end that passes over the drum or pulley means 30 which is mounted for rotation on the base member 23. As shown particularly in Fig. 18, each can is temporarily supported by the plate 31 as it leaves the rotatably mounted disc-shaped can support 27 and Each of the discs 41 and 42 has secured thereto a permanent magnet 44 in the region ofthe base of each of the recesses 43 for urging a can which has been received by the recesses 43 to become more firmly lodged therein against vibrational or other displacement. For more firmly holding the support disc 27 the discs 27 and 42 are secured to each other inspaced relation by the spacer posts 27a.

There also is provided for rotation with the axle 40 the positioning disc 45 which, in `the embodiment shown, is 4secured to the disc 41 in spaced relation thereto by means of the posts 46. The disc 45 has shallow recesses 47 therein which are in registration with correv best shown in Fig. 4.

prior to its complete reception on the upper surface of v the conveyor 29. The guide rails 29a keep the cans in alignment on the conveyor 29, and the fingers 29h deflect the cans onto the conveyor 29.

At this point attention is' called to the fact that for the can marking operation each can is transferred to' and becomes fully supported by a rotatably mounted horizontal disc-shaped can support. The can support cooperates with the can feeding and can removing conveyor means so that continuous travel of cans is permitted as though the can marking mechanisms including the mechanisms of the rotating turret were not present. Greatly superior results have been obtained in this way as compared with attempts to mark a can While it is being carried by a continuous linear conveyor. The conveyors As the succession of cans 48 is fed toward the turret parts above described, namely, across the plate 28 and onto the disc-shaped rotatably mounted can support 27, they strike the leading edges of the recesses 43 in the discs 41 and 42 substantially offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the support 27, thus causing these discs, and in turn the axle and the support 27, to rotate, whereupon each can enters fully into each recess 43 and becomes positioned therein, such positioning being aided by the aforesaid magnets 44. The full entry of each can into each recess 43 and its retention therein during travel while supported on the support 27 is assured by the arcuate guide rails 50, these rails being held in place by securement tothe post 25. Preferably the securement is adjustable and the preferred adjustable securing means is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The plate 51 is rigidly secured to the post 25. The bracket rods 52 are secured to the rails 50 and have their major longitudinal extent disposed angularly and in slideable 20 and 29 preferablyare mechanically linked as by the p sprocket chain 150.`

Secured to the transverse frame member 26, as by the bolts 32 there is a spindle holder 33 which holds the spindle or shaft 34 firmly in vertical position depending from the frame member 26. Preferably the spindle 34 is vertically slideable and also is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the holder 33. The vertical position of the spindle 34 is controlled by the adjusting bolt 35 and the rotational position of the spindle 34 is controlled by the set bolt 36. There is secured to the lower end of the spindle 34, as by the bolt 37, the discshaped support member 38 upon which rests the thrust bearing 39. Resting on the thrust bearing 39 for rotation relative to the spindle 34 there is the hollow turret axle 40. The disc-shaped can support plate 27 is secured to the axle 40 adjacent the bottom thereof for rotation therewith. Also secured to the axle 40 and spacedA substantially above support 27 and from each other are the disc means 41 and 42 which have a succession of forwardly inclined recesses 43 therein that are in registrap tion one above the other in the discs 41 and, 42. The

term forwardly inclined is used herein and in the relation with the ends of the plate 51. By means of the nuts 53 on the opposite sides of the plate 51 the position of the bracket bars 52 and in turn the guide rails 50 may be adjusted so as to provide just enough clearancefor ready reception of the cans into the recesses 43 with. however, a very slight clearance.

Preferably supplemental guide and confining means is employed for resiliently holding each can as it passes through the station that it occupies when being marked. Preferred means for this purpose has :been shown in Figs. 1 to 8. A bracket 54 is rigidly secured to the post 25 and at the end thereof has secured -thereto by a universal joint connection the confining member 55. The universal joint connection is provided -by pivotally connecting the elbow part 56 to the bracket 54 for rocking movement y about -the horizontally disposed pin 57. The confining part in turn isA pivotally connected to the vertically disposed pin 58 that is secured to the horizontal portion of the elbow part 56, the spacer 59 being interposed between these two parts. For resiliently urging the confining member 55 both downwardly on the can top and inwardly toward the axis of the turret, the member 55 has a pin 60 upstanding therefrom that passes through an opening in a bracket 61 which is secured to Ithe post 25. Interposed between the member 55 and the bracket 61 there -is a compression spring 62 which normally urges the trailing end of the member 55 downwardly against l the can top so as to hold each can rmly against possible vertical displacement from its desired position resting on the support 27 The normal position of the trailing -MJI of the mem-ber 55 soI as to confine the upper end of the can between the member 55v and the shallow recesses 41 in. the `disc 45. The normal lateral position of the trail-ing endV of the member 55 is controlledv by the nut 66. The vertical and lateral normal positions of the trailing end of the member 55are such that as each can approaches the member 55 the trailing end of the member 55 is pushed upwardly against the spring 52 and outwardly against the spring 66. In'order to provide greater resistance to wear, the inner surfaces ofthe 4member 55 are surfaced with a hardened metal sheet material 67, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. To facilitate reception of each can, the forward endl of the metal sheetV 67 is pro# vided with the inclined portion 68. l

`Preferably resilient confining meansC also is employed for contact' with the lower end` of each can as- -it travels into and through the station at which actual marking' oc` curs', thereby providing auxiliary' means for confining' each ofthe successive cans against and within the recesses 43 in the discs 4l and 42. As best shown in vFigs. 6 and 7, this resilient confining means may be inl the form of an arm 69 which is mounted for pivotal movement about the vertically disposed pin 70 that is secu-red in upstand-ing relation with reference to the base member 23. vFor resiliently urging the arm 69 against the can 48, the compression spring 71 is employed which' sur-V rounds the pin 72 and is disposed between the'arm 69 and the stop member 73 which is secured toA thevr base member 23. Por adjusting the normal positionI of the' arm 69 a set screw 74 may be employed which is in threaded engagement with the member 75,l that likewise isV secured to the base member 23. y

' A marking unit is disposedy above each of the recesses 43 in the discs 41 and 42 and above the recesses 47 in the disc 45. Themarkingv unit as a whole is' indicated generally by the reference character' 76 and these' units travel with the support 27 and the discs 41 and 42 and 45 by virtue of their being mounted at the periphery' of the marker supporting `disc 77 which rotates with' the 'axle 40 in fixed relation therewith. In the' particular em bodiment shown the 4bevel gear 78 is directly aixed to the -airleV 40 and the disc 77 is atlixed to the bevel gear 78' by the bolts 79. A bearing 80 is employed for rotatablymounting theV upper end of the axle 40 andthe bearing 80 is restrained from upward movement relative to the spindle 34 by th'ecollar 8l, whose position may be adjus'tably xed with 'reference to the longitudinal extent of the' spindle 34 byl the set screw 82 A typical' construction for the marking unit has been shown in Figs.y 9' to l3 lin conjunction with alternative means -for ftictionally confining the upper end of the cans 43' during their travel while supported bythe support dise 27'. Accordingly, the constructionpof the marking unit shown in Figs. 9 to 13 will'tirst be described Without regard to the alternative means for resiliently confining the upper ends of the cans.

Each unit in the embodiment shown comprises a block 8.3 secured to the upper side of the disc 77 adjacent the periphery thereof. There is a `plunger 84 disposed for vertical reciprocation in the block 83. Any suitable means maybe used Ifor preventing rotation of the plunger 84 about` its longitudinal aX-Kis relative-to the block 83. In the embodiment shown the plunger 84 isl provided with a pin- 85 that protrudes Vlaterally therefromv and is longitudinally slideable in the slot 86A in the upper end ofthe plate. 87 that is4 secured to the block 833 as bythe screws 8.8. A smalliplate 89 is secured to the lower end of the plunger.. 8.4 and the portion thereofv protruding from the periphery of the discv S7 isprovided' with the notch 90; Y The stamping member 91 presents Ithe numbers or other indicia and .preferably is made of some materia-1 such. asvulcanizedrubber. The stamping'member is held ina sufitalblelframe 92 that issecured to the'lowerface of plate 93v .The plate 9'3l has a5 locking screw 94 whichis adapted to be received in the recess 90 in the plate 89. 'lo assist in positioning the plate 93 relative to' the plate 89 the plate 89 isA preferably provided with the down-` wardly projecting. pin 95 which is adapted to be received inthe recess 96 in the plate 93. By loosening the locking screw 94 'the plate 93 and the stamp 91 may be quickly separated from the plate 89 and replaced by another plate presenting a different number or other diifering` mark. The stamp*l member 91 is adapted to be pushed out of theA frame 92 and replaced whenever desired.

The stamping member 91 is normally maintained retracted during its entire travel with the disc 77 except momentarily at thev predetermined position where the can is to have the mark applied thereto. For this pur#V pose a cam disc 97 is employed which supports the cam follower roller 98 that is rotatably mounted on the horizontally disposed pin 99 which is secured to the upper end of. the plunger' 84. The stamping member 91l is shownin retracted position in Figs. 9 and 10.

In order to provide for the controlled depression of the pusher rods 84 of the-marking units for bringing the' marking members 91' into contact successivelyV with the cans 48 passing through the machine, the ca'm dis'c 97 has a marginal portion thereof cut away and replaced by the cam guide member '100 that is best shown in Fig. 1'6. When the rollers 98 of the units reach the location of the cam guide 100l they iirst are permitted to fall to the position determined by the upper surface of the portion 100a of the cam guide 100. The portion 100e of the cam guide 100 is of substantial length so that the marking. member 91 may assume a stable 4position only slightly separated from the top of thev can' 48 over which itis positioned. Immediately following the portion 100:1 the cam guide 100 is" providedv with the portion 10011 which permits the roller 98 to'v drop until the marking member 91 comes into contact with` the top of the can 48,` thereby placing the mark on the can. Improved clarity in high-speed operation is afforded by causing the depression of the stamp member to occur in two steps with a substantial dwellbetween them because the final` movement of the markingv member into contact with the can may be accomplished with less shock than if the over-all movement'of the marker were to be effected in a single step. Thereafter the roller 98V is guided bythe camguide 100 so as to be inthe normally retracted position determined bythe upper surface of the cam disc 97.

It is noteworthy that the pusher rods 84 tend to fall by' gravity. However, for causingv the rollers 98 to more positively follow the different portions of the' cam guide 100` astrip 101' of resilient spring metal overli'es the cam guide 100 in spaced relation thereto, the spacing corresponding to ther diameter of the rollersv 98 and: the contour of the strip 101 following the general contour of the cam guide 100. The forward end of the strip 101 may be carriedinany suitable way, as by being secured to the bracket 102'I which in turnmay be Ysecured to the cam disc 97 by means of thel bolts 10314 and the spacer collars 104. To augment and control the spring action of the strip 101, a compression spring 105, is preferably employedwhich is. held in positiony at the endl ofr the bracket I106 that is secured to the cam disc 97. So that the force exerted on the stripl 101 by the spring 105 may be adjusted, the upper end of the spring abuts against the collar 107 which is secured to the pin 108. The pin 108 is in threaded engagement with thebracket 106 and may be locked soi asto provide any desired vertical positionA of the collar 107 by the lock nut 109, which also is in threaded engagement therewith. As the rollersipass under the strip 101V the trailing end of the strip is deformed from itsy normal position shown in solid lines to the position shown in dotted lines in Figi 16;

In order to provide means for supplying` the indicia bearing. surface presented by the member 91 with ink, the members'91- successively pass into light pressurefcona tact with an ink bearing roller during the rotation of the turret portion of the machine. The inking means is Vemployed as ybest shown in Figs. 3, 14 and 15. The inking unit as a whole is carried from the base member 23 so that it may be swung out forfllling the ink reservoir and swung into operating position again in a very convenient manner. For this purpose the hollow post 110 is bolted tothe base member 23. Within the hollow post 110 there is the shaft 111 which is rotatable within the post 110 but can be locked in position when desired by the set screw 112. The elevation of the unit as a whole can be controlled by the manually actuatable head 113 of the shaft 114 which is threaded through the length of the shaft 111, the shaft 111 being interiorly threaded for the purpose, so that by rotation of the shaft 114 the tray 115 of the inking unit may be raised and low ered. The position of the shaft 114 may be held in position by the lock nut 116. The vertical position of the inking unit is thus adjustable so that the ink bearing roller 117 cornes into contact with the marking member 91 when the marking member 91 is in retracted position as determined by the cam follower roller 98 being in contact with the upper surface of the cam' disc 97. In order that the pressure may be uniform during passage of the marking member 91 over the ink bearing roller 117, means is provided for imposing resilient pressure on the roller 98 during the interval of passage of the member 91 over the ink bearing roller 117. `For this purpose a strip of spring metal 118 is attached to the bracket 119 which in turn is secured to the horizontal frame member 26. The trailing portion 118a of the strip 118 is positioned for resiliently holding the roller 98 at or immediately adjacent the upper surface of the cam disc'97 so as to maintain the member 91 uniformlyin. contact with the ink bearing roller 117. The amount of resilient force supplied at the portion 118a of the strip 118 is controllable by the compression spring 120, whose tension may be adjusted and whose function and manner of mounting is essentially the same as that of the spring 105 hereinabove described. The rollers of the inking mechanism are positively driven from the bevel gear 78 which rotates with the axle 40 of the turret, the bevel gear 78 cooperating with the bevel gear 121 which is secured to the inner` end of the shaft 121a on which the ink bearing roller 117 is mounted so that the peripheral speed of the ink bearing roller 117 will be at least approximately synchronized with the rate of travel of the inking member 91. The outer end of the shaft 121a carries the gear 122 which meshes with the gear 123 for positively driving the transfer roller 124 through the rotatably mounted shaft 125, the gear 123 in turn driving the gear 126 which, through the shaft 127, serves to drive the roller 128 whose periphery is partially immersed in the bath 129 of ink contained in the ink reservoir 130. The desired amount of ink is controllable by the adjustable doctor blade 131. When the inking unit is swung to position with the plate 132 in contact with the adjustable stop 133, the bevel gear 121 meshes with the bevel gear 78. Whenever it is desired to till the ink reservoir 130 all that is required is to loosen the set screw 112 and swing the unit outwardly from the turret. 'Ihe inking unit can then rapidly be restored to its desired operative position merely by rotating the unit until its position is controlled by the stop 133 and then tightening the set screw 112. If desired, the transfer roller 124 may be omitted. The preferred means for stabilizing the cans 48 asthey pass through the machine have been shown and described hereinabove. Alternative means fOr stabilizing the p osition of the upper ends of the'cansis illustrated in Figs.' 9 to 13, the means for this purpose shown inthe'se figures necessarily being omitted when the means shown and described hereinabove are employed. v

The alternative means for stabilizing the upper ends of the cans as they pass through the machine shown in 8 Figs. 9 to 13 comprisea resilicntly mounted finger which instead of being essentiallystationary moves with the disc 77. Moreover, the positioning means is readily detachable from the machine since it is attached to the readily removable plate 93 which carries the inking mem-v ber 91. For the purposes just mentioned, the plate'134 is secured adjacent the outer margin of the underside of the plate 93 as by means of the screws 135. Upstanding from the plate 134 there is a block 136 having a piece of spring metal 137 secured to the front thereof which passes through a slot 138 in the plate 134. The lateral position o f the lowerfree end of the piece of spring metal 137 is adjustable by the bolt 139 which is threaded into 'the block 136 and which may be locked by the set screw 140. The positioning of the plate 93 relative to the plate 89 which is aflixed to the lower end of the plunger rod 84 is adjustable by the adjustable stop member 141 which may be locked in position by the lock nut 142. Thus in replacing the marking member 91 all that is necessary is to move the plate 93 into position until the stop 141 strikes the outer margin of the plate 89, whereupon the lock screw 94 may be tightened. Fig. 16 illustrates how when the pusher rod 89 is moved downwardly the piece of spring metal 137 is moved yieldably into contact with the rim 49 at the top of each of the cans 48 as they movel through the machine for confining the can tops against the recesses in the positioning disc 45.

The machine hereinabove described is capable of high-` speed operation and, notwithstanding the high speeds employed, each can and the marking stamp therefor are moved together with such accuracy and precision that the marking produced is very clear and legible. Utilizing the mechanisms hereinabove described, operation at the rate of 600 cans a minute represents a good operating speed, although considerably higher speeds have been employed without substantial adverse effect on the clarity of, the marking. l

The machine hereinabove described is suitable for marking cans of conventional size such as those employed for canning beverages, fruits, vegetables, etc., and for such purposes a turret provided with eight can lreceiving recesses has been found to be very desirable. However, a greater or lesser number may be employed. A machine of the type hereinabove described ordinarily is employed in marking cans during prolonged production of cans of a given diameter. If a can of different diameter is employed, usually it is most convenient to replace the turret assembly with another turret assembly having can receiving recesses Whose size is suitable for the different can diameter to be accommodated. As regards cans of different height, it is normally better practice to substitute one turret assembly for another. However, the structure hereinabove described permits substantial variation in accommodating cans of different height.

In normal operation, the machine of this invention is set up for operation for a particular batch or days run. The machine is then operated continuously for the batch or days run in question. For the next succeeding batch the plates 93 to which the members 91 bearing the stamping indicia are secured are readily removed and replaced with a new set bearing a different number or other mark. As soon as this has been done and the ink supply has been replenished, if necessary, the machine is operable for the next succeeding batch or days run.

One of the advantages of the machine of this invention is that no motive power for rotating the turret is required other than Athat incident to the operation of the conveyor- 20 in feeding the cans 48 onto the turret. When the cans strike against the extremities of the recesses in the discs 41 and 42, this causes the turret to rotate at a speed which positions the cans in the can receiving recesses as fast asv the cans are supplied by the conveyor. However, it is within the scope of this invention to employ a positive drive for the turret as by causing the bevel gear 78'to be connected with a suitable source of power.

gaseosa In such case, however, suitable; synchronization of turretv speed with conveyor speed required for effecting the transfer of the cans from cam feeding conveyor to the rotating' turret.

`While this invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it` is toV be understood that this has been'l done merely for purposes of. illustrationY and that the coaction of: the element may be accomplished using component parts differing substantially from those hereinabove. described.

I; claim:

LA machine for: stampmarking cans which: comprises a vertical stationary shaft, a hollow axle mounted for: rotation about said shaft, a horizontally disposed discshapedcan support secured to said axle for rotation therewith, ay plurality of horizontally disposed can receiving discs coaxially securedl to said axlel aboveV said support. and; substantially spaced from each other, said discsz having a `succession of can receiving recesses therein adaptedy for receiving, a succession of vertically disposed: cans carried by said support adjacentthe margin thereof, a magnet adjacent the base of each: of said can` receiving' recesses, a positioning disc coaxially secured to said axle above said can receiving disc havingv recesses therein registering with the periphery of cans received in said recessesf a marker supporting disc coaxially secured' to saidaXleV above said positioning disc,.a.succession of. marking units; carriedr4 bysaid marker supporting disc, eachof which' comprises a member that presents: a marking stamp andV that is actuatable by ail cam. follower for movement into and away from position contacting the top of a can: supported on said"` support, a stationaryv camsecured to? ysaid shaft presenting a cam'surface adapted to coact with' said cam follower for effecting said movement responsive to rotation of said marker supporting disc, an ink bearing roll disposedfor contacting saidl stamp during rotation of said marker supporting disc, gear means interposed between said' ink bearing roll and said" axle for causingrotationthereof'at'a'peripheral speed synchronized with the rate of travel' of said stamp with said marker supporting disc, aA can" feeding conveyor for feeding a succession* of'vertically' disposed` cans to said support, means for' transferring cans from said: can feeding'` conveyor -toF said support, a can removing conveyor, means fortransferrng'said'cans'fromsaid support to said canre'- moving conveyor, and'` resilient means for urgingVV cans carried by said support toward said can receiving and positioning discs during travel of the cans carried by said support while said stamp is in contact therewith.

2. A machine for stamp marking cans which comprises a horizontally disposed disc-shaped can support, means for mounting said can support for rotation about a vertical axis, disc means horizontally disposed above said support that is coaxially rotatable therewith and has a succession of forwardly inclined marginal can receiving recesses therein, a marking unit disposed above each of said recesses and mounted for rotation with said support, each said unit comprising a vertically disposed pusher rod mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement and having a marking stamp secured thereto adjacent the lower end thereof, and cam follower means adjacent the upper end thereof, stationary cam means presenting a cam 'surface disposed above said cam follower means and adapted for advancing said pusher rod at a predetermined position of rotation for bringing said marking stamp into contact with the top of a can whose bottom rests on said support, said stationary cam means further presenting a cam surface underlying said cam follower means for retracting said pusher rod from advanced position and holding same in normally retracted position, first conveyor means for continuously conveying a succession of vertically disposed cans to position adjacent said support and for transferring them therefrom onto said support for reception in said recesses and travel therewith through said predetermined position of rotation, second conveyor means for con- O tinnously conveying a succession of vertically disposed cans away from said support, and' means: for transferring cans after travel through said predetermined position of rotation from said support onto said second conveyor means'.

3.V A machine for stamp'marking cans which comprises a horizontally disposed disc-shaped can support, means for mounting said support for rotation about a vertical axis,` a plurality of horizontally disposed discs that are spaced above saidsu'pport and from each other, said discs being. coaxiallyI rotatable with said support and having'` aA succession of marginal can receiving recesses therein' for registration with a succession of vertically disposed cans carried? by said support adjacent the margin thereof, means for feeding at aV can feeding station a succession of vertically disposed' cans onto said support and into saidV recesses, means for removing cans from said: supporti at; a can-.removing station substantially spaced from said cani feeding station, marking, means mounted to move with' said can support about said vertical` axis of rotation' ofY the latter andi operative to mark the top of each cany as the latter is carried by said support between said can feeding and can removing stations, and resilient means disposed radially outwardI with'. respect to the periphery of said discs and yieldably urged ltoward said vertical axis for confining said cans between said resilient means and'y said can receiving recesses' during the marking of eachcan. 4`. A machine according to claim 3 which comprises further resilient means disposed adjacent the periphery-ofy said discs at a 4level above the latter and-.yieldably urged downwardly for applyingpressure to the tops of successive cans during marking of the latter for pressing vtheml against said. support.

5. A machine-according to claim 3y Whereinone of saidy discs is horizontallyv disposed in a plane' adjacent the tops of; cansl supported by said support, and wherein' said resilient confining means: comprises confining' means substantially at. thej level: of said oneV disc and adapted to contactk the periphery of said can in substantially the same horizontal plane-asthat of said one disc.,

61A. machine according to claim 3 whereinA said re= silient: confining means includes resilient` members urged radially'toward said vertical axis of the support and disposed adjacent the top and the bottom, respectively, of cans supported on said' support.

T. A machine for stamp marking cans which comprises a horizontally disposed disc-shaped can support, means for mounting said support for rotation about a vertical axis, at least two discs disposed above said support and spaced from each other, said discs being coaxially rotatable with said support and having a succession of forwardly inclined marginal can receiving recesses therein adapted for registration with a succession of cans carried on said support adjacent the margin thereof, a positioning disc coaxially rotatable with said support and horizontally disposed above said discs in a plane adjacent the plane of can tops resting on said support, the margin of said positioning disc having recesses therein disposed for contact with cans resting on said support and received in said can receiving recesses of said discs, means for feeding a succession of vertically disposed cans onto said suppoit at a can feeding station, means for removing cans from said support at a can removing station, marking means mounted to move with said support about said vertical axis of rotation of the latter and operative to stamp mark the top of each can as the latter is carried by said support between said can feeding and can removing stations, and resilient confining means disposed radially outward from the periphery of said positioning disc and yieldably urged inward toward said vertical axis to apply pressure contact to the peripheral surface of each can adjacent the top of the latter during travel of each can on said support, and thereby confine the top of said can between said confining means and said recesses in said positioning disc.

j 8.V A machine for stamp marking cans which comprises a horizontally Vdisposed disc-shaped can support, means for mounting said support for rotation about a vertical axis,-disc means horizontally disposed above said support that is coaxially rotatable therewith and has a succession of can receiving recesses therein, can feeding means for feeding a succession of vertically disposed cans onto said support for reception in said can receiving recesses, can removing means substantially spaced from said can feeding means for removing cans from said support, a horizontally disposed marker supporting disc above said disc means and coaxially rotatable with said support, a succession of marking units secured to said marker supporting disc over said can receiving recesses, each unit comprising a marker presenting member and a movable member which carries said marker presenting member and .is actuatable responsive to a cam follower for movement into and' out of position for stamping the top of a can carried by said support by contact of said marker member therewith, and stationary cam means coacting with said cam follower for effecting movement of said movable member as aforesaid responsive to rotation of said marker supporting disc, said cam means presenting two successive cam surface portions coacting in succession with said cam follower to effect movement of said movable member responsive to rotation of said marker supporting disc and thereby bring said marker presenting member into position for marking said can in two steps with a dwell of substantial duration between them.

9. A machine for stamp marking cans which comprises a vertical stationary shaft, a hollow axle mounted for: rotation about said shaft, a horizontally disposed disc-shaped can support secured to said axle for rotation therewith, a plurality of horizontally disposed can receiving discs coaxially secured to said axle above said support and substantially spaced from each other, said discs having a succession of can receiving recesses therein adapted for receiving a succession of vertically disposed cans carried byv said support means adjacent the margin thereof, a marker supporting disc coaxially secured to said axle above said can receiving discs, a succession of-marking units secured to said marker supporting disc adjacent the periphery thereof above said can receiving discs, each ofsaid units comprising a member presenting a marking stamp and movable for moving said stamp into and away from contact with a can carried by said support and re: ceived by said can receiving recesses, means comprising a stationary cam secured to said shaft and a cam follower connected to said member for actuating said member responsivev to rotation of said axle for effecting said movement of said stamp, means for continuously feeding a succession of vertically disposed cans onto said support to be stamped, and means for removing said cans from said support after having been stamped.

10. A machine for stamp marking cans which cornprises a vertical stationary shaft, a hollow axle mounted for rotation about said shaft, a horizontally disposed disc-shaped can support secured to said axle for rotation therewith, a plurality of horizontally disposed can receiving discs coaxially secured to said axle above said support and substantially spaced from each other, said discs having a succession of can receiving recesses therein adapted for receiving a succession of vertically disposed cans carried by said support adjacent the margin thereof, means for feeding a succession of vertically disposed cans onto said support, means for removing cans from said support, a marker supporting disc coaxially secured to said axle, a succession of marker units, each presenting an inking stamp, means for actuating said marker units for stamping said cans responsive to rotation of said marker supporting disc, an inking device comprising a rotatably mounted inking roller disposed for peripheral contact with said inking stamp during rotation of said marker supporting disc, a gear secured to said axle,'a11d gear means mechanically connected to said inking roller' adapted to coact with said gear for rotation of said ink bearing roller responsive to rotation of said marker supporting disc.

References Cited in the le of this patent l Alessi et al. ,Apr. 8, 19,58 

